The islands of Guadeloupe, the secret paradise of travel agents

Wednesday 27th November 2024 08:38 AM

The islands of Guadeloupe, the secret paradise of travel agents

November 27, 2024
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Guadeloupe Islands Committee, Corsair, Guadeloupe, Patrick Galin

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Who hasn't dreamed of spending a few days in winter in the sublime islands of Guadeloupe? Nature and culture lovers will be delighted. Metropolitan residents will be able to recharge their batteries in contact with a warm population. And obviously taste a world-famous gastronomy there, with tasty vegetables and exotic fruits, without obviously forgetting its majesty the Rum (to be enjoyed in moderation of course!). It was at the invitation of the Tourism Committee of the Islands of Guadeloupe, the local tourist authority, that eighteen French professionals were able, two days ago, to achieve this happiness against the backdrop of the splendor of the West Indian territory in winter.

Marie-Hélène (Havas Cesson Sevigné), Céline (Club Med Paris), Pauline (TUI Store Montélimar), Tatiana (Kuoni Reims), Florence (Hôtels & Lagons Lyon), Laura (Ready to leave Bar le Duc), Amandine (Leclerc Voyages Blois), Anne-Cécile (Verdié Brive la Gaillarde, Kévin (Voyages around us), Gisèle (Kuoni Paris), Marie (Leclerc Voyages Urrugne), Claire (Portrait d'un voyage Saintes), Julie (IWL Voyages Aubagne), Caroline (The journey according to Valérie), Viviane (Club Med Paris) and Thayna (Elan Evasion Rennes), are the travel agencies who made up this lucky group to which La Quotidienne was kindly invited. And it was the excellent Patrick Galin, from the CTIG, who acted as the unanimously appreciated tour leader.

After the very comfortable direct flight Paris-Pointe à Pitre aboard the A330 300/900 of the Corsair company, the trip began with a cultural visit to Gosier, the famous seaside resort of Guadeloupe, gateway to the Levant Riviera in Grande Terre.

Welcomed at the recently renovated Sarawak Hotel in Gosier, participants were able to discover the natural setting of the place that was simply breathtaking.

With the main attraction here being L'îlet du Gosier, a site accessible in a few minutes by boat, with wealthy neighborhoods with a rich past and beautiful heritage bourgeois residences.

The next day it was local Guadeloupean gastronomy, based on accra, ti punch, sweet potatoes and grilled fish, among others, renowned worldwide, which they were able to enjoy in a good mood.

Then a highlight was the visit to the Morne à l'eau cemetery, a cemetery with an international reputation. “ It is known as far as Canada or Spain » assures us our erudite and exceptional guide Lucien of kindness and professionalism, collaborator of the Passion Outremer receptive.

History and lush nature

The group then immersed itself in the immaculate nature of the Valombreuse garden, in Basse Terre, just after discovering the world of the Guadeloupean mangrove with an exciting boat trip in the Grand cul de sac reserve. Pure happiness.

On the program then, tasting and discovery of the Bologna distillery, a marvel presented by Maeva and Fabienne, visit to the Cocoa museum in Pointe Noire.

The typical Creole lunch and beach relaxation in the West Indies Sea complete the bonding of the group.

A highlight of the edutour was the arrival, aboard the boat Miss Outremer, in Les Saintes, for a guided tour of Fort Napoléon where we were able to immerse ourselves in the fascinating history of the Caribbean from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. , a captivating immersion into the heart of the battles between French, English and Spanish, as well as the daily life of Guadeloupeans at that time.

This educational tour, exceptional in its atmosphere and in its content, ends with the Pointe des châteaux, on the island of Saint François, the most visited site in Guadeloupe with nearly 500,000 annual visitors, which paradoxically does not include any castles worthy of this name.

The origin is simply the establishment of the religious community of the Capuchins, who in 1683 made it their parish: the Parish of the Castles.

The night at Pierre & Vacances Sainte Anne was then welcome to regain strength and quietly set off back to the airport for the return trip.

CTIG, the guarantee of excellence

The Guadeloupe Islands Tourism Committee (CTIG) was created in 2003 by the regional and departmental authorities, with an associative status. In 2018, its status changed to EPIC (Public Establishment of an Industrial and Commercial Character). Its major mission is the development and tourist promotion of the “Islands of Guadeloupe” destination: Basse and Grande Terre, Marie-Galante, Les Saintes, La Désirade and the islands of Petite-Terre.

PR from Pointe a Pitre